Oh Canada

Where did this Canadian Patriotism come from? Why was the desire there to paint my face with a red maple leaf as I sat in my living room watching T.V? It was not an option for me to leave the house yesterday without donning some sort of red / white clothing combo. When I see the commercial with Michael J. Fox and other British Columbian celebrities, I turn to Mark and say, “I live here too!” (He's too polite to say anything, but I'm pretty sure he thinks I've lost my mind).

When I was younger, I wanted to move. And yes, to the States. They have Hawaii, California, and Disneyland. I saw myself driving around in my convertible jeep on my way to my fabulous job at Seaworld, where I was the best dolphin trainer in all the world. This was after having lunch with Tom Cruise.

I love the ocean. Ask around. Any water actually. I'm usually the first person in the lake in the summer- I believe the earliest I have ever gone in was May.

I love the sun. A day at the beach, for me, is wasted if I can't there by 9:30am. There's not much that can keep me inside on a beautiful summer day.

So, as a young teenager, why would I want to stick around the North Okanagan? Summers were great, sure, but learning to surf on Shuswap Lake? Did you know that if you take a scuba diving course in Salmon Arm the only thing you get to see in the lake is NOTHING??? It's black. Trust me.

Now as I look around, I LOVE Canada, British Columbia and the Okanagan. This is my home. This is where I met my handsome husband. This is where my friends are raising their beautiful children. My life is here.

If I had gone off to California, where would I be? It might have been great... or I might've ended up working the concession stand beside Space Mountain at Disneyland dressed as a giant churro. Who knows, but what good would it do me to think about the what if's or the what could have been's? If I did that I would never be able to appreciate where I am. Life is pretty good here in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada and it's my job to remember that.

Congrats to all our wonderfully, talented Canadian Athletes!!